Ignore, for a moment, the Nationals’ offensive issues, which made a return appearance Friday night in scratching out all of one run on six hits against the Reds. Forget, for now, about Adam LaRoche’s 0-for-18 slump at the plate and the injuries to Ryan Zimmerman and Wilson Ramos that have stripped Davey Johnson’s lineup of two potent bats.

Sure, the Nationals still have some question marks four weeks into the season, questions that may or may resolve themselves in the days and weeks to come. On this night, don’t spent a moment fretting about any of that and just sit back and appreciate back-to-back pitching performances not seen in these parts in nearly a century.

What Jordan Zimmermann did Friday deserves attention all unto itself. With a Clemens-like arsenal and Maddux-like efficiency, he 1-hit a very good Cincinnati lineup, going the distance on only 91 pitches, a masterful outing that proved entirely necessary for the Nationals to pull off a 1-0 victory on South Capitol Street.

Wow, what a game. I saw E-Jax's complete game last April (against the Reds) and until tonight thought it was the best pitching performance I'd seen in person. (Well, there was Strasburg's debut, but that was another kind of phenomenal.) But this was a true gem. JZnn was so efficient, and so in control. Time after time he'd go out there, and if you blinked you'd miss the half inning altogether. And now as I'm zooming through the game on my DVR, the same thing is happening — have to be careful not to skip whole innings by accident. Harper and Werth combining for the run was textbook. Not sure that single would have scored him from second, so that's another Harper hustle run I'd say. He was thinking triple right out of the box. So much fun to watch.Finally, I can't help but wonder, how could Gio and JZnn put together back to back 1-hitters with that subpar second string catcher back there who lacks rhythm and pace or whatever that special something is that supposedly Ramos and Solano have? Hmm, guess Zuki's ok after all.

Nice write-up. Great game, love a pitchers' duel, but it was clear from the beginning that JZ was "on" his game. As Charlie and Dave noted, Dusty knew one run would probably be the difference, and he pulled his infield tight in the fourth inning.That is some level of respect!From the previous post: Ghost, watching ALR in person, I have to agree, something physical is wrong. Slow getting himself out of the dugout to first base, you have to figure he had ice or heat treatment in a back room. I think he could have caught the ball from Lombo, even though it was a bad throw. His other chances were pretty routine, but he reminded me of Morse, not moving very far from the base and letting the ball to come to him (except for the one unassisted).Just checking on the late games. Maybe everyone was too quick to write off Lincecum?

Sect222, I said the same about EJax. He had a tough time in the 1st inning then cruised. His slider was Bugs Bunny stuff, but this performance by JZim surpassed that as this was mastery and No-Hit worthy. The movement on his pitches induced weak contact all night long and that K of Votto was so nice!1) JZim 8/26/132) EJax 4/14/12 3) Astacio 8/15/064) Patterson 8/4/055) Strasburg 6/8/10

Morse said in an interview that he is not recovered from the broken finger. Said he's not making excuses, he knows he's not delivering. I feel bad for him, but he is not the only one on that team who is not delivering. Harang gave up five earned and got lifted after only 3 innings. Anyway, Morse is hitting better than Hamilton.

Not to nitpick Ghost, but E-Jax had a 1-2-3 first inning in that game last year. He gave up a double, a HBP, and a single in the 2nd, but escaped having only given up a single run by getting a DP. After that, he gave up no hits and one walk in the last seven innings. it was an impressive performance. Unfortunately, it was his best of the year. Kind of interesting that the Reds are now starting two Nats castoffs (Xavier Paul and Ceasar Izturis.

If I made 13 million dollars playing baseball? I think I could handle being a third act behind the 1 hit wonders.I know it's a tough job, but when you make that type of money, I have trouble feeling empathy when they don't produce. Haren signed the contract. He has to take responsibility for his performance. Earn your money today Danny boy.

My mind is blown. Saw each top innings last night before going to sleep. What a pleasure it is to have this guy in the rotation!I don't know what to say. I think pretty much everything is said already.Unknown, I checked play index but found out Dickey as the most recent guy to have 1-hit in back to back of his games. There are five other guys but Walter Johnson is not one of them.To be honest, I am surprised. I thought he would be in there someone given his record of 110 shutouts (most in a career). Then again on BBref you can not see game logs before 1916 so let me check some other sources.

What, no love for Robert?Y'all who were there last night are lucky. No doubt that game would now be up there on my fave in-person games had I been there. I love seeing a complete game by a pitcher, and a shutout? Oh, yeaahhh. Was also at the E-Jax game, and the Patterson game back in the day. Also one by Livo (June 16, 2011).Aside: I love how many more "in-person fave" options there are now, starting last season, than in past seasons. We took our little moments of joy whenever we could back in the day, eh?Sec. 3, My Rocking Fire Sofa said… Barry Morse would be hitting better than Hamilton at this point. April 27, 2013 12:39 AM

natsfan1a, too many to list now, as far as fave in-person games, but last night's was way up there. Strasburg's debut was in a class by itself, Zimm's walkoff's were all memorable, but one of very favorites was Jonny Gomes's walkoff HBP by Lidge against the Phillies a couple of years ago.The stadium was still filled with Phillies fans then.Suddenly they all shut up and went back to their buses dejectedly.

I could not watch the game so I am catching on DVR. If you do this, keep the remote in your hand at all times, you will need it every few minutes. Fastest game I ever watched. Both pitchers mowing down hitters efficiently. JZim is so good. Hoping for more offense today as I doubt one will be enough for Haren. If he struggles at all, bullpen. They are seriously bored.

NL– print edition of WaPo. Giant pointy ball draft headline right up top. Jordan did make decent sized letters, slightly above the fold and a big, color picture. What does a guy have to do? Of course, Jordan has been eclipsed in the baseball world by 17 K's. strikeouts are fascist.

I wake up this morning thankful for many things regarding the Nats. Thankful for attending a gem last night pitched by JZIMM.Thankful for watching this 20 year old Harper kid develop before my eyes.Thankful for the 34 year old Werth coming through with the timely hit. Thankful for our GM for picking up Suzuki last year. Thankful for having Davey as our team's manager. I'm also feeling hopeful that ALR isn't hurt and will come around. And hopeful that Ryan and Wilson make quick,full recoveries.I also am feeling confident. Relax! We got this!GYFNG!!!

Observations– anyone notice Votto jawing at umps, throwing equipment? Perhaps a weekend ejection in his future. My daily Lombo love – 0 for 3 in the books, but thrown out once at first by a nano second by Philips and moved Span to third during a crazy at bat which involved a contested steal. Handling the bat does not always show up in good stats. He made a wide- ish throw to first , which puzzled me because ALR usually fields much worse throws from Zim. Not a good throw, but not the usual ALR save, either.

Frank J Williams is source for most game to game data on Walter Johnson in that book. It is mentioned that he threw 8 one-hitters (one being of six innings, no idea why) in his career but play index shows only four. That means four others happened before 1916. Looking at index of his best games, two happened in one season 1910. One was on opening day in front of US president and one was in September. Guess he hasn't done it. Doubt anyone will ever come close to his 110 shutout record (next best is 90).Swami, I like to see Votto stay in both games. 1 for 8 in the series is great. I don't think we have ever done that to him before. Hope Haren can continue this trend.I don't get our 3B but I agree that that was not Lombo's worst throw and ALR should have caught that.

How quickly things change. If JZim had the same fate of 2 earned runs like his last start, the Nats lose 2-1.The pitchers have received the memo loud and clear: Start pitching gems and they have responded with whatever you do I can do better!

Anna Peregrina said… What a wonderful couple of nights!OT: "Gattitude"? Are you kidding me? April 27, 2013 8:30 AM At first I thought Gattitude was something that was Photoshopped as a joke and shocked it was legit. It's pathetic and childish for a pro team to mock their competitor in advertising and it's also premature considering what the Gattis story is.The guy will be 27 this summer and if he isn't back in AAA at that time who knows but all I know is that he's a few 0-4 games away from falling down to Mendoza. The Barves are pathetic.

"NatsNut said… It was a great game. Definitely in the list of great games attended for me. I was curious why Stammen warmed in the bullpen sometime in the 8th. Do ya'll know what that was about?"I presume it was so Davey would have someone ready to bring in on the chance that Jordan totally fell apart in the top of the ninth. He would have stuck with Jordan through one run, maybe two, but eventually he would need another pitcher. At that point, the Nats would be tied or behind, so a save situation and Soriano would not apply. That's one of the unseen things that managers have to do, i.e. be ready for any contingency and not get totally wrapped up in the moment.

Section 222 said… Not to nitpick Ghost, but E-Jax had a 1-2-3 first inning in that game last year. Thanks for the correct. I was there in person and thought I had that game stored away correctly. I should've gone back to the boxscore.I think when you consider how great a game is, you must consider the competition.JZim and EJax both faced a very capable top team in the Reds. John Patterson faced a so-so Dodgers team managed by Jim Tracy who lost 91 games.Like I said last night, Cesar Izturis played in that Dodgers game in 2005 and the Reds game last night, cool coincidence.A near coincidence, Jayson Werth would have been in that Dodgers game against Patterson in 2005 except he was on the 15 Day DL at that time. Quite possibly he was in the dugout during that game watching.Adam LaRoche was in the game against Astacio for the Braves on 8-15-06 and actually got the 2nd hit against him that night.

NatsLady said… Stammen was warming in case Votto hit a HR and the game went to extras.Davey might have been run out of town if that happened. Seriously, think about it if the Reds mounted a rally in the 9th.That's why add-on runs are so important but very lucky JZim backed up his Manager and it's a moot point.I have to say I was a little concerned after that 8th inning walk to their light-hitting catcher.

… surely we can now speak of four damn good pitchers, not a superstar followed by three pretty good arms. Nothing against Strazzzzz, but the Nats' rotation is clearly equalising itself, as shown by its performance of late. (Five damn good arms would be even better; we can only hope.)Go Nats!!

Correcting myself: I believe that was on June 15.I nattered…Y'all who were there last night are lucky. No doubt that game would now be up there on my fave in-person games had I been there. I love seeing a complete game by a pitcher, and a shutout? Oh, yeaahhh. Was also at the E-Jax game, and the Patterson game back in the day. Also one by Livo (June 16, 2011)

Theophilus T. S. said… Zimmermann was due to bat in the eighth. Had his turn come up with a runner in scoring position and one out, pretty sure Johnson would have pinch hit for him. April 27, 2013 9:29 AM That's the distinct advantage with the DH. I'm just glad it all worked out!When JZim in the 8th walked their #8 hitter I did an uh-oh as that meant Votto would get 1 more at-bat.It actually made it all the more special when Votto made the last out. I think FP said that in the Great American Smallpark that Votto's flyout to LF would have been a HR there, 8 rows deep.Nats Park plays very fair.

For good pitching performances, add Gorzelanny & Storen's shutout of the Giants on 5/2/11, a 3-hitter, with the Nats scoring two unearned runs to win it. The best part was the time–2:01, and it would have been under 2 hours if Storen hadn't walked a hitter in the 9th. Fastest Nats game I've attended, although the time wouldn't have been all that special 40 years ago.

And correcting myself yet again, after rechecking my archives, I was at the Livo complete game on April 17, 2010. The 2011 game I watched on tv. I'm sooo confused…natsfan1a said… Correcting myself: I believe that was on June 15. I nattered… Y'all who were there last night are lucky. No doubt that game would now be up there on my fave in-person games had I been there. I love seeing a complete game by a pitcher, and a shutout? Oh, yeaahhh. Was also at the E-Jax game, and the Patterson game back in the day. Also one by Livo (June 16, 2011) April 27, 2013 9:39 AM

I was told by a very reliable source that Stammen had to get some work in – just routine. Of course, he would have been ready for extras, which is why they waited. Apparently no matter who pitched in relief, he was going to have to throw in the game or in the pen. As a long reliever, he has to throw more pitches to stay sharp.

Faraz Shaikh said…I remember there being a site about Walter Johnson. I can't find it anymore.my man, you want a cool site, google DC memories (I think that is what it is) This site has photos, stories and stats from DC baseball as far back as 1880! There some great photos and stories on Big Train, there are photos of DC dancing girls dancing in center field at Griffith stadium after Nats won the AL pennant in 1924.very cool site!time to watch Phil and Cue-ball head

Can't wait to get there today. I love afternoon baseball!! Will bike over with my son and we need to break an 0-2 jinx ourselves. We are 1-2 so far and it needs to change now!!Will continue to wear the old Senators blue hat with the skinny block W from the 50s (Eddie Yost years). Comments about LaRoche leave me puzzled. I watched him go deep into foul ground and make an amazing catch of a pop foul near the seats. He caught it over his head and it was, to me, an excellent play. Not sure he could make that play if injured. He may well be but I am hoping it is just a rough stretch. I did not see any of the game last night so I can't comment on the Lombo throw.FYI, Blues Alley was jumping last night! Go Nats!!

Agree Mick. You just get any continuity when you have one starter getting bombed every 5th day.If this continues, I would use Stammen as a stop-gap in the rotation. His sinker has been nasty and he has started in the minors and majors

Mick – I am not praising Haren here. He has struggled, no doubt, but I didn't understand you comparing him to Denny McClain. Not sure what something 40+ years ago has to do with our guy this year. I could compare Harper to Mantle who I watched often at Griffith Stadium but again, its not the same and kinda useless. Haren has a track record, he might be done but there are plenty of pitchers older with more innings who are still doing more than he has this year. Four starts is not a season just like 20 games was not a season. You do tend to make statements based on the game at hand, remember its 162 games my friend. We will get through this and like Seamhead has said often, "Relax, we got this."Go Nats!!

JaneB said… Ghost, loved your recap of who was where during those five great pitched games.I hope some of this sharpness rubs off on Haren today.GYFNG April 27, 2013 9:46 AM Thanks. Fun stuff! Go Haren!

Big Cat: again, not praising Haren here but you have to think that the way Davey works his pitchers, Haren will get at least another month of starts unless its like that 15-0 clunker in Cinn. He is not the worst pitcher in the NL this year but he certainly is not helping himself or our team with what he has put out there so far. I wonder as a veteran if he is feeling pressure this early in the season to do more? The mind set these guys have to have is that of a short memory but Haren needs to fix whatever is broken for sure. I wonder if the crowd will be behind him or against him today. Hoping for lots of cheers and that the are deserved!!Go Nats!!

Anna Peregrina said… On Gattitude, could this be the start of a trend? May I suggest for the Phillies, "Embrace your Bratitude"?April 27, 2013 10:02 AM The Tigers play the Nats, maybe in an homage to Princey they do Embrace your Fatitude. Nah.

Not to take anything away from Gio and Zim because they both deserve all the accolades they get but the common denominator in both games was Suzuki.Suzuki took advantage of the Reds aggressiveness at the plate by not call for too many fastballs early in the count which put most of the Reds hitting in the hole all game. In today's game with Solano catching I wonder if he will be making the pitch selection or will Haren as a veteran be guiding his young catcher. Haren no longer has the mid 90's fastball so the Reds should have the luxury of looking for off-speed and getting a piece of any fastball. The defense should be on it's toes today.

sjm…agree. Even though I was skeptical way back when Riz first signed Haren, I'm still rooting for him. He seems like a class guy and a hard worker. I just think he has had a fine, long career, but his time is up.I saw McLain win an early game at RFK. Everyone was enthused with the trade of Brinkman, Rodriguez and Coleman for him. Little did we know that the roof would soon cave in on Denny

"Haren signed the contract. He has to take responsibility for his performance. Earn your money today Danny boy."LOL. Every man on the 25 man roster is overpaid, not just Haren, and Kim Kardashian makes more than any one of them. Let's not forget Bernie Madoof, who stole $50 bn, more than all of them are worth, put together. And all of them (including Madoff), put together, will never have the impact on your life, and everyone else's here, as Nikola Tesla had, and he died an impoverished recluse.Since when is money the measure of merit?

sjm308 said… Comments about LaRoche leave me puzzled. I watched him go deep into foul ground and make an amazing catch of a pop foul near the seats. He caught it over his head and it was, to me, an excellent play. Not sure he could make that play if injured. He may well be but I am hoping it is just a rough stretch.Tell me something, if you had lower back pain, can you catch a tough pop foul? Maybe. It's the bending plays that are tough. He isn't making low stretches to his side. He missed one of Desi's too last week. Peric thinks LaRoche is diminishing in ability and some think he starts slow. I don't buy either of that. Davey had sat him for his back pain. Again, I think LaRoche needs to come clean to Davey. 0-18 and being a K machine and the doubleplays while occupying the middle of the order is not helping and when his "D" isn't stealth, it's time to get him right out of the lineup.

Thanks Rich P and NatsLady, but those explanations don't really fit. First, Zim gave no indication whatsoever that he was danger of melting down. Second, Joey Votto didn't come to bat in the 8th and Stammen was warming up in the 8th. And even then, nobody even got on base until the walk but there were 2 outs. So we're in the 8th inning, one man on, two out and *Stammen* is warming up? Not Storen, not Clippard, not Mattheus? Or even Soriano for that matter. It's not like Stammen hasn't got any work in this week either. No biggie, but it was a little curious.

The Washington Times has Suzuki catching today's game.Not sure I like making Suzuki catch a day game after a night game. Davey's not showing too much confidence in Solano. Yes it would be nice to sweep the Reds but overusing Suzuki could come back to haunt them.

There's also "DC Baseball History" in the blog roll at left.mick said… Faraz Shaikh said… I remember there being a site about Walter Johnson. I can't find it anymore. my man, you want a cool site, google DC memories (I think that is what it is) This site has photos, stories and stats from DC baseball as far back as 1880! There some great photos and stories on Big Train, there are photos of DC dancing girls dancing in center field at Griffith stadium after Nats won the AL pennant in 1924. very cool site! time to watch Phil and Cue-ball head April 27, 2013 10:01 AM

Without him, we'd never have heard AC/DC. What?Laddie Blah Blah said… "Haren signed the contract. He has to take responsibility for his performance. Earn your money today Danny boy." LOL. Every man on the 25 man roster is overpaid, not just Haren, and Kim Kardashian makes more than any one of them. Let's not forget Bernie Madoof, who stole $50 bn, more than all of them are worth, put together. And all of them (including Madoff), put together, will never have the impact on your life, and everyone else's here, as Nikola Tesla had, and he died an impoverished recluse. Since when is money the measure of merit? April 27, 2013 10:24 AM

Again, Stammen was warming up for the worst case scenario. He gets warm in the eighth, sits down and if the worst case scenario happens, he can come in in a hurry. Managers always have to be prepared for every possiblity